Into the Fire

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=757475

No one in his right mind would recommend the TV Series Criminal Minds to everyone. The series is about FBI Profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) who take on some of the nation's most heinous serial criminals and their crimes. Profilers learn to think from a criminal perspective and if you crawl inside the skin of the most demonic types of killers, you aren't going to find, feel, or fake something attractive or even remotely normal. The main premise revolves around a particular group of analysts in the FBI who are asked for their help by individual law enforcement groups in cities across America that are being plagued by a series of (usually) grotesque and increasing serial killings.

Please tell me how an otherwise intelligent actor of stage and screen could misunderstand what the series will tackle if the only thing he knew about the show was that it involved FBI Profilers – of which he would be one on a team – going wherever they elect to go to help local law enforcement capture serial offenders. With a grim and grisly description would it be difficult to misconstrue how much potential perversion, violence, and looks at the worst of human depravation this series might entail? You think?

So, if this pacifist/utopian sounding actor kept to his basic principles, why did he take a role that seemingly would offend his emotional and philosophical makeup? He is quoted as saying: "I thought it was something very different. I never thought they were going to kill and rape all these women (in storylines) every night, every day, week after week, year after year… It was very destructive to my soul and my personality. After that, I didn't think I would get to work in television again." And concluded with this statement regarding his current TV Series Homeland: "A show like 'Homeland' is the antidote. It asks why there's a need for violence in the first place." Really?

There's a certain amount of naiveté in his response. And a certain amount of ignorance. Not to mention pious outrage.  

Believe me, it's not his sensitivity to violence and depravity I'm criticizing. It's his feigned "unknowing" that doesn't sit well with me. C'mon. You didn't research the role of "Gideon" or ask questions of the producers and writers? Are we to assume they prettied it up for you in their description of the series?

No question Criminal Minds is dark and sadistic and spares few limits in depicting the worst of serial killers. The crimes are not all against women but predominantly as is the case in this world. Women and children are the most vulnerable targets for a multitude of reasons. Each one of the profiling team has his/her personal breakdowns, wonders how long they can continue to do their jobs where all they get to see is evil. Of course not everyone can watch a series like this. And not every actor can tolerate roles like those asked of these actors. But, after two seasons in a high profile role (pun intentional) and doing it very well, it seems disingenuous to come out and call it "The biggest public mistake I ever made . . ."

Father, you love the lost and found. You hold out forgiveness for all of us who choose to repent. It's unfathomable to us, but you do it. You restore us, give us "newness" like we've never known. We can't comprehend the depths of your love – at least I can't. The meek thank yous never seem enough, but I am. So. Thankful. Jesus, thank you. Judgement waits. Justice prevails. Even when we don't see it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.